I’m going to argue for a moment that, in some ways, maybe we’re getting just a little bit smarter during the pandemic.

Don’t believe me? Well, limitations on gathering and travel haven’t stopped us from getting together online to learn from one another. Organizations like the IAPP are putting out stellar content, and one of the things I really like about the virtual experience is that at least I can access more good stuff than I might not have otherwise. I can attend live, and I can also check things out later. You don’t have to miss a thing — just like Aerosmith.

Today I’m going to give you a quick rundown of some of our great Canadian IAPP content.

This week, for example, Federal Commissioner Daniel Therrien joined regulators from the EU and U.K. to talk about facial recognition as part of the Global Privacy Summit Online. If you haven’t checked it out yet, I encourage you to. It’s clear they see biometrics as super intrusive and deserving of greater protections and considerations. It sounds like there’s new joint guidance coming from federal and provincial offices in Canada, which should help make expectations clear. Therrien also hinted we should consider whether a law specific to facial recognition might even be necessary, despite our usual tech-neutral approach.

The Global Privacy Summit Online, as you may know, is actually running for several weeks. Another interesting session coming up May 13 is a panel on the increasingly blurring lines between privacy, competition and consumer protection, including a Canadian privacy pro, OPC Deputy Commissioner Brent Homan, and other panelists from the U.S. and Australia. As you may know, Homan came to the OPC from the Competition Bureau, where he did some cool things, and I’m sure he and his co-panelists will offer interesting perspectives on this trend and what it means for the sector.

Look, I’m not going to lie; there’s nothing that replaces the networking we can do at a conference and the opportunities that magically transpire as a result, but I will say we’re certainly rallying. I’m rather thrilled that a relatively new IAPP chapter out of Montreal is holding a virtual KnowlegeNet May 6, et c’est en français mes amis! Speakers will include Stéphanie Poullin-Regnie from Ubisoft, Martin Laberge from Énergir and Sophie Deschenes-Hebert from Telus. It would be fantastic to have a good crowd for this, and what a great online opportunity for francophones from other parts of Canada. For info on KnowlegeNets in Canada and around the world, check out this page on the IAPP website.

And just when you thought the month of May couldn’t get any more chock full of privacy events and learning opportunities, the IAPP Canada Symposium kicks off May 20 with more fantastic content. I may not be doing a game show this time around (sorry, I just couldn’t find a baby blue tux with ruffles), but I can guarantee a strong annual address, a stimulating Ian Kerr memorial lecture and so much more. Stay tuned! And have a great weekend.